Module overview
Undertaking independent research into an aspect of literature or creative writing which particularly interests you is a cornerstone of your degree. A dissertation gives you the opportunity to study a subject in much greater depth than usual and, with guidance from a supervisor, you will rigorously explore your literary or creative topic, formulate a research question and develop a distinctive argument or creative project. A dissertation can also form a good basis if you wish to go on to study at postgraduate level.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- formulate and present an argument
- manage the transition to a masters programme and further postgraduate work
- research and plan independently
- manage and complete a major project within a given time-frame
- write at length
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- evaluate a wide range of material and engage critically with that material
- define, structure, develop and manage a significant project, whether critical or creative, within a set period of time
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- research any given topic and present that research in a scholarly fashion
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- a specific author, period or field of enquiry, whether critical or creative.
Syllabus
This module allows you to undertake independent research, with guidance from a supervisor, to produce an in-depth, scholarly study of an aspect of literature or an extended creative project and critical commentary which particularly interests you. It can also form a good basis if you wish to go on to study at postgraduate level.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- three one-to-one supervisions with your supervisor across the semester
- on-line support via Blackboard
- maintenance of a record of supervision meetings and agreed actions
- three lectures in the preceding semester offering guidance and advice on using advanced on- line resources for research, and on creating an annotated bibliography and dissertation proposal.
Learning activities include
- individual study and research time
- accessing research materials and on-line resources
- preparation of a proposal, abstract, bibliography and draft material for review by your supervisor
- preparation for supervision meetings
- editing and presenting the final version of the dissertation in accordance with the approved conventions and by the appointed deadline
Innovative or special features of this module
- The main innovative feature of this module is the opportunity it gives you to undertake in- depth independent research into a topic of your own choosing.
- It also provides you with a form of individual supervision that is unique to this module.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 295 |
| Teaching | 5 |
| Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Alan Durant and Nigel Fabb (2005). How to Write Essays and Dissertations: A Guide for English Literature Students. London: Routledge.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback
- c6000 word draft submitted for comments and feedback
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Repeat of module | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External